How much more expensive is emergency dental?
If you’re dealing with a dental emergency - such as a chipped or broken tooth, a tooth that’s been knocked out, or an extreme toothache - you may be wondering about the cost of emergency dental treatment.
Emergency dental costs vary depending on the nature of the issue and the complexity of the required treatment. In Australia, treatment to fix a chipped tooth could cost between $250 and $350, an emergency root canal could be in the region of $900 to $1100, while the cost of an emergency extraction may be between $200 and $600.
In general, the cost of emergency dental treatment will be based on the type of damage that’s been caused by your dental emergency, the total time it takes to fix the issue, and whether the procedure requires anaesthesia, which will incur additional costs.
In this article, we explore some common questions around emergency dental costs, so you know what to expect should you need urgent treatment for a dental emergency.
How much does emergency dental cost without insurance?
Although Medicare doesn’t cover emergency dental treatments, it’s important not to avoid contacting your dentist as soon as possible if you experience a dental emergency.
In many cases, the longer you leave a dental issue untreated, the more complex - and therefore costly - it will be to treat when you can’t put it off any longer. What’s more, ignoring a dental emergency can lead to more serious health problems, including the risk of losing the tooth.
During your consultation, your dentist will be able to advise you on the estimated costs of your treatment, as well as the various options you may have available to you.
If you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s important to contact your local National Dental Care or DB Dental practice immediately:
- Your tooth is broken or knocked out
- You’ve lost a filling or a dental crown
- You’re suffering from unexplained and/or severe toothache
- Your gums won’t stop bleeding
- You have a tooth abscess
- Your jaw and/or mouth is swelling
- You have an exposed nerve in your tooth
What does an emergency dentist do and what contributes to the cost?
An emergency dentist is a regular dentist who provides patients with treatment and care outside of normal working hours, such as in the evening or on weekends when the dental clinic is closed for standard appointments.
Unlike an emergency doctor at a hospital - who will only be able to address pain and/or bleeding - emergency dentists are able to provide the services you need to address the cause of your dental emergency, in addition to alleviating its symptoms.
Wondering whether your emergency requires a trip to the emergency dentist or the hospital? In the majority of cases, your dental emergency is best addressed by an emergency dentist, who has the specialist skills to treat the condition.
However, there are some instances when you may need to visit the hospital before undergoing dental treatment, such as for a broken jaw - check out our blog post Emergency Dentist vs Emergency Doctor: Who Should I See? for more information.
How much does emergency dental cost with private health insurance?
As some private health insurers offer coverage for emergency dental services, it’s important to check your policy (if you have one) to see what you’re covered for. While every fund is different, some providers offer rebates of 60% or even 100%, helping to make your emergency dental treatment a lot more affordable.
You should also be aware that private health insurance providers often have preferred dental clinics, so always read the details of your policy. National Dental Care and DB Dental clinics partner with all major health fund providers - and with all practices offering HICAPS facilities, so you can claim your rebate on the same day as your treatment.
By understanding your emergency dental coverage before you actually need to use it, you can be prepared and ready for the unexpected.
Need help with a dental emergency? Contact your local practice now.
If you need advice on a dental emergency, contact your local National Dental Care Group practice for a consultation now - we can identify the severity of the problem and offer same-day appointments for urgent treatment.
Remember, although emergency dental can be more expensive than standard treatment, seeing your dentist as soon as possible in the case of an emergency is always the best option.
Not only can they alleviate painful symptoms and treat the issue before it leads to more serious health concerns, but getting treatment sooner rather than later can save you from much higher costs further down the line.
Find your nearest National Dental Care dentist now for an emergency dental consultation.